What to Do if You Don’t Believe a Dogma

Dogmas, in contrast to matters of prudential judgment in implementing Church doctrine, are not optional. The first thing I would ask is, “Have you really investigated the dogma with which you disagree?” If not, then it’d be important for you to read the Catechism of the Catholic Church’s relevant sections on the dogma. In addition, have you spoken to a good priest or layperson regarding your unbelief? They may be able to address some of your concerns.

Further, have you taken this matter to serious prayer, particularly asking the Lord to help enlighten you?

I would encourage you to do all three. If afterward you still don’t believe, I would encourage you to trust in Christ’s Church as the Lord’s instrument of salvation that therefore cannot teach error (see Matthew 16:18-19, John 16:13, 1 Timothy 3:15), rather than rely on your own fallible judgment.

I infer that you are Catholic. A good number of people have come into the Church while still struggling with a particular Catholic teaching. But they’ve trusted the Church and prayed to Jesus, “I believe. Help my unbelief.” Given what the Church is, that’s a prayer that should be prayed fervently and persistently whenever one struggles with unbelief regarding Catholic teaching.